Navy Cyberspace Blog (2)

Updated: February 12, 2016

Tomorrow, February 9, 2016, President Obama will release his eighth and final fiscal year (FY) budget proposal for his two terms in office. The President’s FY-2017 proposal will cover all departments within the government including the Department of Defense.

As what is normal for these budget proposals, the amount of any increase indicated for Basic Allowance for Housing for 2017 will be just a swaged placeholder amount – don’t get excited over it.

The thing that is most noteworthy about the President’s Basic Pay proposal is the fact that it is once again below the standard that has been used to calculate such pay raises. The base being, according to Title 37 United States Code §1009 — Adjustments of monthly basic pay, the Employment Cost Index (ECI). Per Title 37, the increase in Basic Pay for 2017 should be 2.1 percent. The President’s proposal of 1.6 percent is one half percent less.

Not a big deal, it is just a half percent, right? Well, for a single year that may be the case, but if allowed to pass – if Congress cannot find the money to fund 2.1 percent – 2017 will be the fourth year in a row that Basic Pay raises have been below the automated ECI adjustment (2014 ECI at 1.8%; 2015 ECI at 1.8%; 2016 ECI at 2.3% — 2014 pay raise at 1%(-0.8); 2015 (Read the rest of the article…)

Updated: February 19, 2016

I apologize for being a week late, but effective 01 December 2015, the Navy Student Loan Repayment Program (LRP) has been revitalized; however, the only rating available is Musician. Additionally, the Enlistment Bonus for the Nuclear Power Program has been increased by $1,000 over the July update to $12,000. The ratings that are actually eligible for an Enlistment Bonus remains the same as the last update.

Those who enlist into the Delayed Entry Program on or after December 1, 2015, in the ratings defined in the chart and ship to boot-camp in the corresponding months, are eligible for the listed amounts (payouts occur when established criteria is met (e.g., graduate “A” school, earn NEC, etc., discuss individual rating payout requirements with your recruiter and the rating classifier at the MEPS!)). (Read the rest of the article…)

Updated: December 5, 2015

Today, October 30, 2015, at 0830EST, the United States Employment Cost Index (ECI) was released. The releasing of the ECI by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics is an eagerly awaited quarterly economic indicator for those in the stock market and politics; but what makes this morning’s release important to our military is that one of the main indicators is used to determine any pay raise amount for 2017’s raise.

According to U.S. Code Title 37, that is how it is supposed to work unless the President determines that the state of the economy is such that he must intervene. For 2014, 2015, and for 2016 ECI indicated a higher raise than what was ultimately passed. For 2014, President Obama stepped in and followed the recommendation of the Department of Defense (DOD) to mandate just a one percent raise, and because Congress did not find the money in the budget to pay for the additional 0.8 percent, his one percent carried the day. The 2014 story repeated itself exactly for 2015. The ECI for 2016’s raise indicated a 2.3 percent raise, but it will be a full one percent lower because neither Houses of Congress ultimately found the money. A 1.3 percent raise for 2016 will (Read the rest of the article…)

Updated: August 2, 2016

I have received a couple of questions recently regarding an Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) version I didn’t even know existed – well, actually, it isn’t officially a version of the ASVAB yet, but it looks like it may be in the relatively near future.

The Prescreen Internet Based Computer Adaptive Test (PiCAT) is essentially an at-home version of the ASVAB. The PiCAT has the same nine sections as the ASVAB, but it is not proctored and can be taken from anywhere that has a high-speed Internet connection and a desktop computer – smartphone and tablet use is not recommended. The use of the PiCAT scores for enlistment purposes is currently in pilot program mode to ensure its viability.

Although not yet fully implemented nationwide,The PiCAT is now fully implemented nationwide and is available for, and in use by, all branches of the military.The pilot program will continue until enough data has been accumulated and studied. The pilot program has reached its conclusion.

To be allowed to take the PiCAT, the applicant must have not previously taken the ASVAB. The applicant must be registered to take the test by his or her recruiter, and once registered; the applicant has 72 hours to start the exam. Once the exam is started, it must be completed within 24 hours.

Updated: October 20, 2016

It is once again possible for a select group of applicants who are in the United States legally with an unexpired visa to join the Navy! No Green Card!

Yes, the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) pilot program for the Navy has been revitalized. The Navy’s original interest in the pilot program was short lived – beginning in 2009 and only staying around a year or so before being grounded.

Updated: August 27, 2015

Originating as purely a recruiting Web site designed to assist those with understanding the sometimes cumbersome and frustrating process of gaining a commission or enlistment into the United States Navy, having the site’s title as Navy Cyberspace leaves the potential growth in other areas. It is time to branch out a bit.

Recently, I have acquired the Statutes at Large. The Statutes at Large is a book that contains every law ever written by Congress and approved by the President. I have been extracting the laws that directly affected the Navy. Obviously, I have a long way to go, and I am still trying to figure out the best way to present the information — how to deal with amendments and repeals. That sort of thing.

Updated: January 27, 2016

With the Army recently announcing a reduction in force, and due to the fact many have inquired over the years how an other service Veteran (OSVET) of another service can join the Navy, it is time to put the very basics out there on how to accomplish that. The information is taken from Commander, Navy Recruiting Command Instruction 1130.8J (Change 8), and as new policy updates occur, the information in this post will be updated to match it.

For the purposes of Navy enlistment, what exactly is an OSVET? According to OPNAVINST 1100.4, an OSVET is an applicant whose last tour of active duty or active duty for training was in a branch of service other than the United States Navy. The applicant has been discharged or released for more than 24 hours and completed a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks of active duty and active duty for training (including boot-camp). If the applicant has less than the minimum 12 weeks, they are considered to be non-prior service for this purpose.

Updated: July 15, 2015

First, what is a NAVET? According to OPNAVINST 1100.4C, “NAVETs are applicants whose last tour of active duty or active duty for training was in the United States Navy or Navy Reserve, have been discharged or released more than 24 hours, and who completed a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks of active duty or active duty for training (to include boot-camp graduation).” Additionally, applicants applying for enlistment in the Active Component who are in the New Accession Training (NAT) Program are also considered NAVETS even though they may have completed less than 12 consecutive weeks active duty or active duty for training.

Updated: December 7, 2015

Effective 01 July 2015, the Navy Student Loan Repayment Program (LRP) is suspended as no ratings or programs are currently eligible.

The Navy also reduced the number of ratings and programs currently eligible for an enlistment bonus from 13 to seven. For those who enlist into the Delayed Entry Program on or after July 1, 2015, in the ratings defined in the chart and ship to boot-camp in the corresponding months, are eligible for the listed amounts (payouts occur when established criteria is met (e.g., graduate “A” school, earn NEC, etc., discuss individual rating payout requirements with your recruiter and the rating classifier at the MEPS!)). (Read the rest of the article…)

A Navy recruiting blog that delves into the military enlistment process and benefits of service. This is NOT an official United States Navy or government web site. The opinions expressed are my own, and may not be in-line with any branches of the government or military.